About the White-necked Heron
The white-necked heron or Pacific heron is a species of heron that is found on most of the Australian continent wherever freshwater habitats exist. It is also found in parts of Indonesia and New Guinea, but is uncommon in Tasmania. The populations of this species in Australia are known to be nomadic like most water birds in Australia, moving from one water source to another, often entering habitats they have not previously occupied, taking advantage of flooding and heavy rain where the surplus of food allows them to breed and raise their young. Irruptive movements may occur when environmental conditions are right in places where the species has been rare or absent.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The white-necked heron is a large, diurnal, long-legged waterbird. It is mostly slate-grey to black with distinctive black spots in the centre of the lower fore-neck and throat. During the breeding season plum-coloured nuptial plumes are present on the back and breast. The flight is stately, with slow steady wing-beats. The length is 76–106 cm (30–42 in), wingspan 147–160 cm (58–63 in) and weight 860 g (30 oz). The bill is black and the facial skin is commonly blue or yellow. The eyes are green and the legs and feet black.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in New Zealand.
When to see it
Peak activity in October · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Goliath HeronArdea goliathIt is the world's largest living heron (though the extinct Bennu heron was larger).
Cocoi HeronArdea cocoiThe cocoi heron is the largest of the South American heron species and measures 95–130 cm (37.5–51 in) in length, although body sizes vary regionally; with southern individuals probably being the largest.
Black-headed HeronArdea melanocephalaThe black-headed heron is a wading bird of the heron family Ardeidae, common throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar.
Side by side: Purple Heron vs White-necked Heron · Cocoi Heron vs White-necked Heron
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